Fantasy League: Week 1 - Clubley charges into an early lead

Daniel Gregory

Rob Clubley leads the 184-strong Scarborough News Super League after the first round of action over the weekend.

Clubley’s FC Va Va Voom were boosted by the stunning 15 points gained from Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez in their 4-2 win against Sunderland, ironically the team Clubley supports.

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The table-toppers netted 63 points, just edging out Aaron Shotle’s Shorties Squad into second place by just one point.

Tony Geall, Robbie Kerr, Michael Voase, Daniel Gregory, Dave Sugden, Stephen Deacon and Ryan Diuga make up the rest of the top 10 after productive first weeks.

Languishing at the wrong end of the table with just 16 points are Sam Medd, Tommy Fullerton and Lee Bannister, all will be wanting to bounce back in style this week with 11 new teams primed and waiting to join the standings after signing up late.

Mahrez was only pipped as MVP by Man City’s Yaya Toure, who notched a superb 16 points, while his Leicester teammate Marc Albrighton matched his 15-point haul.

The top 10 after week one

It remains to be seen how many players push the panic button and use their wildcard to tear-up their squads after disastrous first weeks.

Looking ahead: (Courtesy of fantasy.premierleague.com)

Three of last season’s top four are on their travels this weekend as The Scout assesses the gameweek two schedule.

Champions Chelsea face a tough task to bounce back from their home draw with Swansea City as they head to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Arsenal travel to London rivals Crystal Palace, while Manchester United pay visit to Aston Villa on Friday evening.

Martin Skrtel – the Liverpool centre-half opened the season with a seven-point haul at Stoke, courtesy of a clean sheet and single bonus point. Owned by just 8% of fantasy managers, Skrtel’s aerial threat could pose problems for visitors Bournemouth as the Reds seek a win at Anfield on Monday evening.

Alexis Sanchez – currently sitting in just 7% of Fantasy teams, the Arsenal wide man looks an ideal differential for the weekend trip to Crystal Palace. Bearing in mind that the Eagles have managed a mere two clean sheets in 19 league matches under Alan Pardew, Sanchez will be confident of getting amongst the goals at Selhurst Park.

Andre Ayew – Swansea’s summer signing is already off the mark, netting in a battling 2-2 at champions Chelsea. Ayew, who scored 10 times for Marseille last season – is available for 7.0 as Garry Monk’s men welcome Newcastle to the Liberty Stadium.

Dimitri Payet – the West Ham playmaker hosts a Leicester side that shipped two goals at home to Sunderland in the previous gameweek. Having provided the assist for the Hammers’ opener at Arsenal, the 4%-owned Payet looks in fine form as Slaven Bilic searches for a second successive victory.

Graziano Pelle – the top scoring Premier League player over pre-season, Pelle opened his account for the campaign away to Newcastle last Sunday. Given that visitors Everton conceded twice against Watford in gameweek one, the Italian looks a strong choice for our three-man frontlines.